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Council keeps current nominating process for Abbeville Harbor and Terminal District after debate
Summary
After public comment from the harbor director and a proposal from a resident, the Abbeville City Council voted unanimously to retain the existing nominating process for the Harbor and Terminal District and authorized coordination with the parish attorney, with one councilmember recusing for conflict.
Bruce Sonier asked the council to review and revise the way nominees are selected for the Abbeville Harbor and Terminal District, handing members a proposed ordinance change and saying the Vermilion Parish Police Jury was also considering the matter. Sonier urged coordination between the city and parish and noted any statutory change would require action by the state legislature.
Nick Gautreaux, introduced himself as the harbor executive director and told the council the current system is "fair and balanced," describing a three‑members‑from‑the‑city and three‑from‑the‑parish composition and pointing to recent turnover and clean audits as evidence the board is functioning. He said nominations originate with the two governing entities and the board then elects from those nominees.
Councilman Plaisance moved to authorize the city attorney to work with the police jury attorney on acceptable legislative language; Councilman Plaisance then offered an amendment to leave the ordinance as written. Councilman Carlton Campbell announced a conflict of interest and recused himself from participation. On roll call the council approved the motion to keep the existing language unanimously.
The decision leaves the statutory nominating structure in place for now while city staff and the city attorney remain authorized to coordinate with the parish on possible statutory language should the two bodies choose to pursue a legislative change in the future.
